Sand Seatrout

Credit: Illustration by Diane Rome Peebles

Family Sciaenidae

Description: pale body color, yellow above, silver to white below; one or two prominent canine teeth usually at tip of upper jaw; inside of mouth yellow; no well-defined black spots on back; 10 to 12 soft rays in anal fin; no chin barbels

Similar fish: silver seatrout, C. nothus

Where found: a Gulf species, that may occur in the Atlantic waters of extreme southeastern Florida; adults predominantly found inshore residing in bays and inlets, but may move offshore during winter months; young occur inshore in shallow bays

Size: usually less than 1 pound (10 to 12 inches)

Remarks: matures during first or second year; prolonged inshore spawning season extends through spring and summer; feeds mainly on small fish and shrimp